More of ITV’s Brian Pern for BBC Online

LONDON: ITV Studios’ online comedy Brian Pern has been commissioned for a second season of eight episodes by BBC Comedy for BBC Online.

Starring Simon Day (The Fast Show) in the title role, Brian Pern is the video-blog of the eponymous, yet fictitious, 70s/80s rock star. His entries are a platform for his deep thoughts on, among other things, celebrity musicals, the Olympics and Zane Lowe.

Saurabh Kakkar, the creative director of Comedy at ITV Studios (UK), said, "We are delighted with this recommission and that the first series of Brian Pern’s blogs was such a success for both BBC Comedy and BBC Online. I’m confident that Simon’s pitch-perfect performance together with Rhys and Simon’s hilarious scripts will make for a brilliant series. The commission is a significant example of our department’s wide ranging production schedule, which spans shows such as The Fattest Man In Britain for ITV1, new sitcom White Van Man for BBC Three and today’s Brian Pern news."

BBC Comedy’s executive editor, Simon Lupton, added, "One of the enticing facets of Comedy Extra is that it provides a playground for established talent to explore new characters and territories. This is an excellent case in point, and the BBC is delighted such a brilliant team have come together again to continue the Brian Pern story. We are sure this new series will, once more, surprise and delight the audience that have already fallen in love with Brian."

Brian Pern commented, "I am delighted that the BBC Comedy website has seen the funny side of my bloggins—I however, take my life, thoughts, and music very seriously. In my latest Pernclub episodes, you can catch glimpses of my long-awaited reunion with Pat Quid after 20 years of litigation, my manager pops by to discuss the Brian Pern Musical plus an exclusive look my new single, a cover of The Living Daylights with the nut man himself Suggs—released in April with all proceeds going to a very worthy cause: ‘a Ha’."